The Cows Know Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

When the cow egrets no longer fly
But seek a fence post nearby
Watching and waiting
Not seeking out the hoppers in the grass
Or waiting for them to take flight
No longer seeking a ride
On the back of an accommodating cow
The Cows Know

When the sky’s clear
And there is no wind
And the grass is deep and lush
When the moon light is all you need to see
Where you’re going and what is to be
When the heat of morning sun burns hot on your back
And the milk hangs heavy in the jug
Waiting for the young’s attack.
The Cows Know

A bit of overcast along with a freshening breeze
Gives hint to a change
And you take to a high knoll
And pass away the day
Away from the protective shelter of the trees
Waiting and patiently chewing
On what was tongue and toothed away
From the meadow, not too far away
The Cows Know

Some sleep with legs extended
Others with head cradled against their side
While others neck extended as if to stretch their hide
Tails sometimes swishing although flies are few
Just a memory of how to do it when comes time to do
Perhaps a pesky calf comes calling
Expecting a fresh supply of milk
Ignore it this moment for it’s just not worth the effort
The Cows Know

The sky darkens a bit not so much that you can see
But on the distant trees a shadow of foggy mist
Then a rumble from an unknown place
Is it threat of rain or just a static burst
A few drops wet the hide and course down the side
Nothing to be concerned about
‘cause there’s no place to hide.
The Cows Know

A newsman might tell you of the coming storm
Or the weather forecaster might even warn
That there’s a storm a brewing out over the gulf just now
That might just develop into a tropical
If conditions do allow
A plane will be dispatched to see if an eye has developed
And will give an updat on conditions, till then we wait.
The Cows Know.

When you’ve got a fifty gallon barrel
Filled with water and slush
Suspended on four post
With a single hole for filling
But with an emptying bung and drain
The contents kept bubbling
With constant additions and stirring
You’ve got the best barometer know to man
The Cows Know.

****
And in the evening we got six inches of rain.

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